Lockable cap for a bottle

Abstract

A lockable cap, is a security feature for a medical prescription bottle. There is a dial locking mechanism that is attached to the cap. The dial locking mechanism and the cap can be attached or removed from the bottle only when the user has the correct combination on the dial lock. When the combination is incorrect a mechanism, including a dog plate within a housing, is disengaged and the inner cap cannot be removed from the bottle.

I claim: 
     
       1. A method for locking a bottle, comprising:
 installing a cap lock device onto a bottle, the cap lock device having a housing; 
 selecting a combination code having four digits wherein the combination code unlocks the bottle; 
 placing a locking plate in a locked position in response to the combination code not matching the selected combination code and in an unlocked position in response to the combination code matching the selected combination code; 
 blocking, by an arm of the locking plate, a release element access when the locking plate is in the locked position so that the combination code cannot be reset; and 
 allowing the combination code to be reset using the release element when the locking plate is in the unlocked position. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein dialing the selecting combination code further comprises allowing at least one point of contact from a tooth of a dog plate to exert sufficient torque to rotate the cap. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1  further comprising rotating the locking plate into a second position when the bottle is unlocked so that a user can reset the numeric combination. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , wherein selecting a combination code further comprises manipulating four cogs that are within a plurality of gaps in a top portion of the housing. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 4 , where selecting a combination code further comprises guiding, by an alignment spacer device, the four cogs into alignment with the plurality of gaps. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 2  further comprising disengaging the at least one point of contact of the tooth of the dog plate to lock the cap lock device. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1 , wherein allowing the combination code to be reset further comprises pushing the cogs with the release element so that the combination code is resettable.